IIAS students in Goa demands probe over institute’s functioning

Nearly 300 students enrolled over the last three years at the International Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), a tourism oriented management institute in Panaji, have been left high and dry without their degrees. Students who were enrolled in the various hospitality, tourism and business management courses offered by IIAS, has demanded a probe into the functioning of the institute.

Goa sees a frenzied rush to hospitality and tourism industry oriented degree and diploma courses, which are tailor-made to enable undergraduate youngsters, seek employment in the hospitality industry in Goa and outside.

Meanwhile, IIAS in a letter submitted to R K Halarnkar, Under Secretary of Higher Education, Goa has recently admitted that they did not have a no-objection certificate from the state government to run the courses for the past 12 years. Anniruddha Das, Assistant Vice President, IIAS said, "We were not aware of the requirement as it was made to understand, that there was no explicit provision for the same."

Das further stated that IIAS was a charitable trust registered in Kolkata. The institute started in Goa in 1997. Last week in a public statement, Das said that IIAS was in touch with state government officials.